Aeristo's meticulously crafted 1959 190 SL
Friday, August 16th, 2024
Monterey, California
The judges have spoken, and Aeristo's meticulously crafted 1959 190 SL claimed second place in the modified Mercedes-Benz class, finishing just behind the 2018 GT. While the absence of the 190 SL's original tool kit, spare wheel, and car jack cost us significant points with the panel of experts, the GT similarly lacked these items. However, it compensated with striking custom wheels and a rear wing. Time to head back to the drawing board to brainstorm some custom winglets for the 190 SLR—and figure out where to attach them!
More importantly, the event was a resounding success, drawing a fantastic turnout. Many visitors commended the magnificent execution of our engineering marvel, which seamlessly blended innovation with timeless design.
Originally introduced in the 1950s, the 190 SL was designed as a smaller, more affordable counterpart to Mercedes' iconic 300SL Gullwing race cars and roadsters. Fast forward to the early 2000s, the SLK embraced a similar concept, offering a smaller, more accessible alternative to the SL lineup. Interestingly, the SLK’s development included a specification to retain the same wheelbase as the 190 SL—a key factor that made the SLK 32 AMG engine the perfect donor for our 190 SLR restomod project.
One of the standout features of this build is that no modifications were needed to the car’s layout from the firewall back into the cockpit, preserving the original interior space. The result? Visitors were left amazed, and the leather craftsmanship of our seats was widely celebrated as the crowning touch on this remarkable project.
